30tk Congress, [ SENATE. ] Executive, 

2d Session. No. 31. 



REPORT 



SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, 

COMMUNICATING 

Copies of Commodore Stockton's despatches^ relating to the mili- 
tary and naval operations in California, 



February 16, 1849. 

Read, and ordered to be printed ; and that 500 additional copies be printed for the use of the 

Senate. 



Navy Department, 

February 14, 1849. 

Sir: In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 8th 
instant, I have the honor to communicate herewith " a copy of the 
despatch of the 5th of February, 1847, of Commodore Robert F. 
Stockton, commanding the forces of the United States in Califor- 
nia," together with copies of ''such other despatches of Commo- 
dore Stockton relating to the naval and military operations in 
that country as have not heretofore been communicated to Con- 
gress and published." 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. Y. MASON. 
Hon. George M. Dallas, 

Vice President of the United States^ 

and President of the Senate. 



U. S. Frigate Congress, 
Bay of Monterey, September 18, 1846. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your des- 
patches of the 15th of May, addressed to my predecessor, and sent 
by Passeu Midshipman McRae, who delivered them to me on board 
of this ship on the night of the 7th of September, soon after we 
came to anchor in the bay of "Santa Barbara," where I stopped 
on my way to this place to take on board a detachment of men 



-t ios 

2 ' '~ 



C31] 2 ^,^<^ 

■which I left for the defence of that place, after we had taken il 
on our way to San Pedro. 

I am happy to say in answer to that despatch, that all your in- 
structions contained therein had been anticipated and executed, 
and my proceedings forwarded to you by different routes twa 
Wieeks before the arrival of Mr. McRae — even that part of them 
suggesting that a messenger be sent across the mountains to Wash- 
ington; which messenger I hope you will have Seen and sent back 
to me before this can reach you. 

I send enclosed the correspondence between General Castro and 
myself. I did not answer his last letter, but by a verbal message, 
which does not properly belong to history. We found in and near 
his camp ten pieces of artillery — six in good order, and four 
spiked. 

The elections as far as heard from have been regularly held, and 
the proper officers elected. The people are getting over their first 
alarm, and our friends are not now afraid to avow themselves. 

General Castro and the governor having collected at one time 
so large a force together, and our remaining inactive at Monterey,, 
induced the belief that we were not willing to run the hazard of a 
fight, and that if we did we must be beaten. No one, foreigner ot 
native, dared aid us even with advice or information. 

But since Castro and the governor have been driven out of the 
country, the aspect of things is changed, and all is going on as 
well as we ought to desire. 

By an intercepted correspondence between the military com- 
mandant at Mazatlan and General Castro, it appears that arrange- 
ments were making to send troops into California, and General 
Castro is strongly urged to destroy the "nefarious enemy." But 
it is too late. 

I take the opportunity of this communication to remind you of 
two things that may be of some importance to be remembered. 

1st.. That neither San Francisco or Monterey are susceptible, 
within any reasonable expense, of being defended from an attack 
made from the interior; every commanding position within reach 
of a cannon ball from the water is overlooked by adjacent hills, 
within gun shot. We must, therefore, bold the country along the 
sea coast as far south as St. Lucas, and make the river Gila and a 
line drawn from that river across to the Del Norte the southern 
boundary, all of which is now in our possession. It is not my bu- 
siness, perhaps, to say more on the subject. I will send you, how- 
ever, a map which I have made, and on which I have traced with 
red ink the boundary line above suggested. 

2nd. That this territory within the lines marked by me should 
be retained by the United States, as indispensable to preserve the 
lives and property of our fellow citizens residing here, as well as 
to secure anything like permanent peace. 

I have put some guns on board the store ship "Erie" and made 
a cruiser of her. She will sail on a cruise immediately to circu- 
late the enclosed notice and to look out for privateers, and will 
touch at Panama to deliver and receive despatches. 



3 [31] 

As soon as tke schooner Shark returns from the Columbia river, 
I will send her on a cruise for the protection of our -whale ships. 

The Savannah, Portsmouth and Cyane will continue the block- 
ade of the coast of Mexico, whilst I will in the Congress go up the 
gulf of California and pay my respects to San Jose, La Paz, Loreto 
and Guaymas, thence aloag the Mexican coast, thence to the Sand- 
wich islands, thence to San Francisco. 

The Warren will be obliged to lay by for extensive repairs. 

By which disposition of the squadron I hope to meet your ap- 
probation, as well as the views of Mr. Webster and his friends, 
who signed the letter to the President which I found amongst your 
last despatches. Besides, I will order the ships of the blockading 
squadron occasionally to change their ground and take a cruise, 
one after the other, for the protection of the whalers. By these 
courses we will cross each other's track, and so traverse the ocean 
as to render it somewhat hazardous for a privateer to be dodging 
about within our circle. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ fyc. 

Your letter to Commodore Biddle will be sent to the Sandwich 
islands by the American ship Brooklyn, which leaves this place in 
a day or two for Honolula. 

Hon. Geo. Bancroft, 

Secretary of the Jfavy, Washington^ D. C. 



[Translation.] 

On the road to San Pedro, 
August 7, 1846. 
Commissioned by the commandant general and chief of the divi- 
sion of operations in this department to present to your lordship 
a note, and to receive explanations, we pray you will be good 
enough to inform us if we will be well received, according to the 
rights of war. 

We have the honor, with this motive, to assure your lordship of 
our consideration and particular esteem. 
God and liberty. 

PABLO DE LA GUERRA, 
JOSE M. FLORES. 
To the Commander- IN chief 

Of the naval forces of the United States^ 

in the road of San Pedro.. 



1 



[ 31] ^ 

United States Frigate Ccingress, 

Bay of San Pedro, August 7, 1846. 

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
your note of August 7, asking "if you will be well received, ac- 
cording to the rights of war," and, in reply, have to inform you 
that you will be so received. 

I have the honor to be your obedient and very humble servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Commander-in-chief J Sfc.j ^c, 4'c. 
To Pablo de la Guerra and Jose M. Flores, 

Commissioners. 



[Translation.] 

Commandant cy General of Upper California. 

Mexican Army — Division of Operations, 
Head-quarters in the Mesa, August 7, 1846. 

The undersigned, commandant general and chief of the division 
of operations in this department, has the honor to direct himself to 
the commander- in chief of the United States naval forces anchored 
in the road of San Pedro, asking explanations on the conduct that 
he proposes to follow. Since knowing that he wishes to enter into 
conferences on what is most convenient to the interests of both 
countries, the undersigned cannot see with serenity one pretend, 
with flattering expressions of peace, and without the formality that 
war between polished nations permits, to make an invasion in the 
terms that your lordship has verified it. 

Wishing, then, (rfe amenda^^ with the governor, to avoid all the 
disasters'that follow a war like that which your lordship prepares, 
it has appeared convenient to the undersigned to send to your 
lordship a commission, composed of Messrs. Jose M. Flores and 
Pablo de la Guerra, to know the wishes of your lordship, under 
the conception that whatever conference may take place, it must 
be on the base that all hostile movements must be suspended by 
both forces, since, on the contrary, there will not be negotiations. 

The undersigned has the honor to offer to the commander of the 
naval forces of the United States the assurances of his considera- 
tion and particular esteem. 

God and liberty. 

JOSE CASTRO. 
To the Commander-in-chief 

Of the naval forces of the United States, 

in the road of San Pedro. 



5 [31] 

United States Frigate Congress, 

Bay of San Pedro, August 7, 1846. 

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter, and with you deplore the war which is now waging between 
Mexico and the United States. I do not desire to do more than 
my duty calls upon me to do. 

I do not wish to war against California or her people; but as she 
is a department of Mexico, I must war against her until she ceases 
to be a part of the Mexican territory. This is my plain duty. 

I cannot, therefore, check my operations to negotiate on any 
other principle than that California will declare her iildependence 
under the protection of the flag of the United States. 

If, therefore, you will agree to hoist the American flag in Cali- 
fornia, I will stop my forces and negotiate the treaty. 

Your obedient and very humble servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Commander in-chief, Sfc. 
To General Jose Castro, 

Commandant general of Upper California. 



[Translation.] 
COMMANDANTCY GENERAL OF AlTA CALIFORNIA, 

Camp of the Mesa, August 10, 1846. 

. With inexpressible surprise I have informed myself of your an- 
swer, given to my official note relative to explanations asked with 
respect to the conduct which you propose to follow in the invasion 
which the naval and land forces of the United States, under your 
command, have perpetrated this day in this department, under my 
command. The insidious contents of that note, and the degrading 
proposition which it involved, has placed me in the situation of re- 
producing to you the last of my communications, on account of its 
being thus required by the national arms committed to my care, 
what I represent, and to prove to you to what degree I am dispo- 
sed to sacrifice myself to preserve without stain the position I 
hold. 

Granted that war exists between the United States and Mexico, 
and that you, in your duty, carry it on in this department, which 
is a part of its territory; I, as a chief of Mexico, and of the forces 
which are under my command, am resolved to defend its integrity 
at all hazards, and to repel an aggression which, like yours, has no 
example in the civilized world — and more, if one attends to that, 
yet there is no expressed declaration of war between both nations. 

You say you cannot stop your operations to negotiate under any 
principle other than that California should declare her indepen- 
dence under the protection of the flag of the United States. 

Never shall I consent to commit such a low act; but, supposing 
that I should intend it, I would not do it under the degrading con- 



[31] 6 

ditions which you propose. And what would be her liberty with 
that protection, offered her at the muzzle of the cannon 1 I do not 
understand itj but be assured that while she exists, I will take 
care that this part of the Mexican republic, in which I first saw 
the light, does not seal in this mode her disgrace and slavery. 

Still more, you believing, without doubt, that not a drop of Mex' 
lean blood circulates in my veins, and that I am ignorant of my 
attributes, you offer me the most shameful of your propositions, 
which is to hoist the American flag in this department of my com- 
mand. Never, never, never. Much could I say to you in this 
respectj and permit me only to ask, what would you do, were the 
proposition reversed ? 

Lastly, commodore, I repeat, I will not withhold any sacrifice 
to oppose your intentionsj and if, through misfortune, the flag of 
the United States waves in California, it will not be by my acqui- 
escence, nor by that of the last of my compatriots; and only if I 
* * * * to force and by force, in the conception that I protest 
solemnly, before the whole world, against the means which have 
been practised, or may be practised hereafter, to withdraw this de- 
partment from the Mexican union, to which flag I wish to belong; 
making you responsible for all the evils and misfortunes that may 
be occasioned in a war so unjust as that which will be declared 
against this Pacific department. 

I have the honor to pay to you the homage of my particular 
esteem. 

God and liberty. 

JOSE CASTRO. 
To the Commodore of the 

JVaval forces of the United States of America 

in the Pacific^ and at anchor in the road of San Pedro. 



Copy and translation of a letter from Rafael Felles, military com- 
mandant of Mazatlan, to General Jose Castroy military ^comman- 
dant of California. 

Mazatlan, August 8, 1846. 

Dear Sir and Esteemed Friend: Only with the object of send- 
ing you my friendly remembrances I take advantage of the depar- 
ture of the brig Republican, for your port; her captain, D. Antonio 
Vico, is a friend; I recommend him to you very particularly. 

I have learned with true grief that the perfidious Yankees have 
taken possession of or invaded this department; which fatal event 
must keep you, as well as all good Mexicans of that territory, in 
the greatest agony. But there is no despair; for, although at pre- 
sent Mexicans disagree in consequence of the bad administration 
of General Paredes, soon I believe the cause of discord will cease, 
and all will unite to recognize our rights and to overthrow the in- 
solent usurper of the north. 

Unfortunately there are among us some selfish people, who, being 



7 [31] 

unworthy of the trust reposed in them, only seek their own advan- 
tage; for example, the Messrs. CastanareSj representatives of the 
Calif ornias . These two personages have only endeavored to draw 
private advantages from the commission entrusted to them; and, 
perhaps, they would have already gone to that department to col- 
lect the fruits of their perfidious machinations, if I, who know 
them, and feel an interest in the welfare of that country, had not 
prevented them as much as it was possible — as I shall continue so 
to do. And I assure you that, if the revolution in which I find 
myself plunged, triumphs, the Californians can trust they will not 
have the sorrow again to see on their shores those wicked men, nor 
any others that may resemble them. And had it not been that Car- 
melita Soberanes wished to take a companion of her bosom, 1 would 
not have ever permitted the return of Donna Anita Gonsalez to the 
country she has scandalized by her conduct. 

In fine, perhaps soon I shall have the pleasure of marching to 
that country; in the mean time, placing myself at the feet of your 
lady, dispose as you please of your affectionate friend, faithful ser- 
vant, &c., &c. 

RAFAEL FELLES. 

To Lieut. Col. Jose Castro. 



CiuDAD DE LOS Angeles, August 31, 1846. 

Sir: I herewith enclose to you, your commission as military 
commandant of this department. 

Martial law will continue in force throughout the whole terri- 
tory, until otherwise ordered by the governor of the same. 

Notwithstanding, however, the existence of martial law, you 
will permit the civil officers of the government to proceed in the 
exercise of their proper functions, nor will you interfere with 
their duties, except in cases where the peace and safety of the ter- 
ritory requires your aid or interference. 

You will take care that my procbiraation of the 17th be strictly 
observed throughout this department, except as to those persons 
who may be exempted by your written order from the operation of 
its provisions. 

You are authorized, whenever it can be prudently done, to give 
written permission to persons known to be friendly, to the govern- 
ment to be out themselves, and to send their servants out before 
sunrise in the morning. 

You are likewise authorized, to grant permission where you see 
i&t, to persons known to be friendly to carry arms with them, 
whenever it appears to you they stand in need of them for their 
own or their servant's protection. 

I enclose to you, also, some blank commissions for prefects and 
alcaldes, that in case the people should fail to elect either of those 
officers within the jurisdiction of this department, you may fill up 
the blank with the name of some one you may think is qualified 
and will accept the office, affixing the date thereto, and transmit- 



[31] 



8v- 



ting to me at San Francisco by the first opportunity, the name and 
date of all appointments made by you. 

Whenever opportunity oflFers you will write to me, as to the 
state of the country, and the feelings of the people within this 
department. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Governor and commander-in-chief. 
To Captain A. H. Gillespie, 

Military commandant of the southern department. 

V. S. — Sent that you may see how I have tempered the rigors^ 
of indispensable military law, with the appliances of peace. 

R. F. S. 



Organization of the army of California. 

GENERAL ORDER. 

Besides the governor and commander in chief, there will be from 
this day a military commandant of the territory of California, 
whose duty it will be to superintend and direct all the military 
operations in the territory, according to the directions that he may 
from time to time receive from the governor, to whom he will re- 
port all his proceedings. The territory will hereafter be divided 
into three military departments, to each of which will be appoint- 
ed a military commandant, who will receive instructions from, and 
be responsible to, the military commandant of the territory. 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Governor and commander-in-chief of the 

territory of California. 
CiuDAD DE LOS Angeles, Sept. 2, 1846. 



CIRCULAR. 

You are hereby advised that war exists between the United 
States of North America and Mexico, and are cautioned to guard 
against an attack from Mexican privateers, and all vessels under 
the Mexican flag. 

The territory of California has been taken possession of by the 
forces under my command, and now belongs to the United States, 
and you will find safe anchorage and protection in the harbor of 
San Francisco during any season of the year. 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ Sfc. 

U. S. Frigate Congress. 



9 [ 31 I 

^ U. S. Frigate Congress, 

Bay of Monterey J Sept. 19, 1846. 

Sir: I am informed by express from Commander Montgomery, 
at San Francisco, that Suter's fort, on the Sacramento, is threat- 
ened by a thousand Indians from the Oregon, of the Wallow Wal- 
low tribe. 

The cause of their hostility appears to be this: about a year 
since one of their chiefs was deliberately murdered at Suter's fort 
by a man named Cook. 

The Erie is under way, and I have only time to say, that I shall 
go after them immediately with the crews of this ship and the Sa- 
vannah, and I will give them satisfaction or a fight. 

Will you please to send to me by Mr. Norris a good spy-glass. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 
R. F. STOCKTON, 



Commodore^ S^c. 



To the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JVavy^ Washington^ D. C. 



No. 8. 

San Diego, Head-quarters of^ ^c, ^c, 
JYovember 23, 1846. 

Sir: By the celebrated Mexican armed brig "Malek Adhel," 
which was captured and taken out of the harbor of Mazatlan by 
the boats of the U. S ship Warren, I have the honor to send this 
despatch for you as far as Mazatlan, and to say that several other 
vessels, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, have been captured by the 
Cyane and Warren, official reports of which, however, have not 
yet reached me; but I have reason to hope and believe that every 
vessel by which our commerce in this ocean could probably be in- 
terrupted has been captured by Commander Hull, in the Warren, 
or Commander Dupont, in the Cyane. 

Those oncers deserve praise for the manner in which they have 
blockaded and watched the Mexican coast during the most incle- 
ment season of the year. 

The enclosed letters, from No. 1 to 4, will acquaint you with 
the position of the squadron and the affairs of this territory, as 
well as with my intentions in regard to the further prosecution of 
the war up to the 30th September — when the intelligence reached 
me that all the Mexican officers in the territory, with the excep- 
tion of one or two, had violated their oaths, and again taken up 
arms against the United States, with which insurrection, and the 
consequent alteration of all my preconcerted plans, it will be the 
further object of this despatch to make you acquainted. 

The war in California being, as I supposed, at an end, and hav- 
ing ordered the other ships of the squadron to the coast of Mexico, 
there to await my arrival, I was about to transfer the government 



[31] 



10 



of California to'.other hands, and to sail as soon as possible in the 
Congress for Acapulco, where I expected to land and lend our aid 
to the war in that part of Mexico, when I was informed by express 
that the Mexican officers had violated their oaths, and commenced 
anew the war by a midnight attack on the party of fifty men left 
at Ciudad de los Angeles. 

The enclosed proclamation No. 5, signed by Jose Ma Flores, a 
captain in the Mexican army, and on parole, will give you some 
idea of the disposition of those depraved men. 

At this time Major Fremont had gone to the Sacramento to en- 
list men for me to take to Acapulco. I immediately sent to him. 
to come to San Francisco, with as many men and saddles as he 
could get to embark in the sh'p Sterling, that we might by prompt 
action surprise the enemy at Santa Barbara, only three days march 
from de los A.ngeles; whilst I would go directly to San Pedro and 
march to the city, where I would certainly be able to calculate 
within a day or two the time I would receive his co-operation. 

Whilst the necessary preparations were making to carry out this 
plan of surprise, and at once to put down the insurrection, I or- 
dered the Savannah (then under sailing orders for the coast of 
Mexico,) to go immediately to San Pedro, and afford all the aid in 
her power to our little garrison at the city. 

I left San Francisco in company with the Sterling, but having 
crossed the bar before her, I hove too till she came out, and then 
I steered with a fair wind down along the coast; on our way we 
spoke the ship Barnstable from Monterey with despatches from the 
commanding officer there, stating that Monterey would probably 
he attacked, and that he required immediate reinforcement; I went 
immediately to Montery, leaving the Sterling with a fair wind on 
Iier way to Santa Barbara. 

I arrived the next day at Monterey and landed two officers, 
Messrs. Baldwin and Johnston, with fifty men and three pieces of 
artillery; and having fortified the town against any probable force 
in California, I left for San Pedro, looking into Santa Barbara as 
I passed to see how the Sterling made out; but she had not arrived, 
although she ought to have been there several days previous. 

I passed on to San Pedro, where I found the Savannah? Captain 
Mfirvine, commander of the Savannah, informed me that on his 
arrival there, he found on board of the ship Vandalia the party of 
volunteers who had been besieged at the Pueblo, and to whose as- 
sistance he had been despatched, but who had been permitted by 
treaty to retire with their arms on board of this vessel — that about 
two weeks before my arrival, he had landed with his men and 
the aboveraentioned volunteers and marched for the city, that he 
met a body of mounted men with a field piece, with whom he had 
an engagement, that he had not taken any artillery with him, and 
they had driven him back to his ship, with the loss of four men 
killed and some wounded, and that he had remained on board since 
that time waiting for me. 

' He says that his officers and men behaved well — that they made 
several eflforts to take the field piece from the enemy, but they 



11 [ 31 ] 

could not overtake it. In truth, nothing short of a locomotive en- 
gine can catch them well mounted fellows. 

I did not like this proceeding or its probable consequences; but 
I have no more to say about it at present. Elated by this transient 
success, which the enemy, with his usual want of veracity, magni- 
fied into a great victory, they collected in large bodies on all the 
adjacent hills, and would not permit a hoof except their own horses 
to be withip fifty miles of San Pedro. 

I had, however, agreed to land there, to be in readiness to co- 
operate with the forces under Major Fremont expected from Santa 
Barbara; and therefore determined to do so in the face of their 
boasting insolence, and there again to hoist the glorious stars in 
the presence of their horse covered hills. 

Orders were accordingly given to prepare to land the troops in 
the morning, and a party of the volunteers, as you will see by a 
general order here enclosed, and marked No. 6, were ordered to 
land before day-light, to cover the general landing which was to 
be made up a very steep bank and in the face of the enemy. 

The volunteers failed to land in time, in consequence of a fan- 
cied force of the enemy; not so with the sailors and marines, who 
were ready in the boats alongside of the two ships, and who, as 
soon as I discovered that the volunteers had not succeeded, I or- 
dered to land. The boats of the Savannah were under the imme- 
diate command of Captain Mervine; those of the Congress un- 
der the immediate command of Lieutenant Commandant Livings- 
ton, and performed the service in a most gallant manner, being 
myself present. 

On our approach to the shore, the enemy fired a few muskets 
without harm and fled; we took possession, and once more hoisted 
our flag at San Pedro. General order, marked No. 7, will show 
you how- 1 estimated the conduct of the troops at the time. 

The troops remained encamped at that place for several days 
before the insurgents, who covered the adjacent hills, and until 
both officers and men had become almost worn out by chasing and 
skirmishing with and watching thera, and until I had given up all 
hope of the co-operation of Major Fremsnt. Besides, the enemy 
had driven off every animal, man, and beast, from that section of 
the country, and'it was not possible, by any mpans in our power, 
to carry provisions for our march to the city. 

I resolved, therefore, to embark the troops, and waste no more 
time there, but to go down south, and if possible, to get animals 
somewhere along the coast, before the enemy could know or pre- 
vent it, and to mount my own men, and march to the city by the 
southern route. 

I left the Savannah to look out for Major Fremont, and taking the 
volunteers on board of the Congress, proceeded down the coast, 
as far as San Diego, where Lieutenant Minor was in command. 

Two days after my arrival at San Diego, the " Malek Adhel " 
arrived from Monterey, with despatches from Major Fremont, in 
which he says: " We met the Vandalia with information of the oc- 
currences below. Mr. Howard represented that the enemy had 



[ 31 ] 12 



■ 



driven off all the horses and cattle, so that it would be impossible 
to obtain either, for transportation or supplies. Under the cir- 
cumstances, and in virtue of the discretionary authority you have 
given me, I judged it of paramount necessity to haul up im- 
mediately for this port, with the intention t© send for all the mett 
who could be raised in the north, and for the band of horses which 
I had left on the Cosumne. In the meantime we should be able 
to check the insurrection here, and procure horses and supplies, so 
as to be in readiness to march to the southward immedietely on the 
arrival of our reinforcements," 

On the receipt of this letter, having arranged with Lieutenant 
Minor to send a vessel down the coast for horses and cattle, I re- 
turned to San Pedro, and sent the Savannah back to Monterey, to 
facilitate as far as 1 could the preparations of Major Fremont. 

On my return to San Diego, I found that the expedition south 
had been successful, that the party had obtained about sixty useful 
horses, two hundred head of cattle, and five hundred sheep. 

On the afternoon of our arrival, the enemy, irritated, I suppose, 
by the loss of his animals, came down in considerable force and 
made an attack; they were, however, soon driven back, with the 
loss of two men and horses killed, and four wounded. Those 
skirmishes, or running fights, are of almost daily occurrencej since 
we have been here, we have lost, as yet, but one man killed, and 
one wounded. 

One hundred more horses will enable me to mount some of my 
own men, and before long, I expect to be a general of dragoons^ 
as well as commodore^ governor^ and commander in-cheif. 

I have been thus particular in this despatch, that you may see 
that all that unflinching labor and perseverance on my part, and 
inflexible patriotism and courage on the part of my officers and 
men could do to suppress this rebellion, has been done; and that, 
although we may still be, for some time, annoyed by those daily 
skirmishes, yet the rebels cannot, in all probability, much longer 
avert the doom that awaits them. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON. 

To the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JVavi/j Washington, D. C. 



No. 1. 



U. S. Frigate Congress, 
Harbor of San Francisco, September 30, IS'IG. 

Sir: You will, as soon as you are ready, proceed to sea under 
your sealed orders, with this modification, however. You will, on 
falling in with the Cyane,send her immediately to San Francisco, 
instead of detaining her on the coast as heretofore directed. 



13 [ 31 ] 

The Congress and Cyane will, by this arrangement, it is expected, 
be ready to relieve the Savannah and Portsmouth. 

If despatches from the government should arrive at Mazatlan 
between this and the first of December, you will open them; and if 
notice of peace, you will leave copies of the despatches at Mazat- 
lan for me, in case I should arrive there after you have left, and 
come to San f rancisco and prepare the Savannah to return to the 
United States. 

If Mr. Norris should arrive from the United States at Mazatlan 
before I reach there, you will bring him in the Savannah or send 
him in the Portsmouth as soon as possible to this place, without 
opening the despatches. The enclosed letter contains a despatch 
for the Secretary of the Navy. You will please to make every ex- 
ertion, without regard to expense, to get it forwarded by Mr. Mott, 
or some one else. 

You will also draw for the use of this squadron any sum of 
money, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, that you may 
be enabled to get at Mazatlan. 

Please to seal the letter to Mott, Talbot & Co. before you deli- 
ver it; I leave it open in case you should find it best to deliver the 
despatch to other hands. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ Sfc, 

To Captain Wm. Mervine, 

U. S. Frigate Savannah, harbor of San Francisco. 



No. 2. 



U. S. Frigate Congress, 
Harbor of San Francisco ^ October 1, 1846. 

Sir: On my arrival here with the Congress and Savannah in pur- 
suit of the Wallow Wallow Indians, I was glad to find that their 
numbers had been greatly exaggerated, and that they were friendly 
disposed. 

I have a message from the chief, stating that he was friendly and 
would come down to see me. 

I will send the Savannah on her cruise to-morrow, and the 
Portsmouth in a few days; and will follow myself in the Congress 
as soon as I can, (if not sooner superseded by Commodore Biddle,) 
to carry out my views in regard to Mexico, with which I have not 
thought it necessary or expedient yet to acquaint the department. 

Our new [;overnment goes on well; I am arranging for a weekly 
mail from one end of the territory to the other; it will not, I think, 
cost over three or four thousand dollars per annum, which will be 
less expensive than the necessary expenses to keep one properly 
informed in regard to every part of the territory. 

If any chance is given, I have no doubt an etfort will be made 
by the Mexicans to recover the territory; troops are ready to come 



[31] 



14 



from MexicOj but if they are not seen on their way, I'll make them 
fight their first battle at Acapulco, or between that and the city of 
Mexico. 

I have not, it is true, a great force, but their enthusiasm and 
impetuosity must make up the want of numbers. 
Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Commodore J Sfc. 

To the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JVavy, Washington^ D. C. 



No. 3. • . 

U, S. Frigate Congress, 
Bay of Monterey, [Sept ember 19, 1816. 

[confidential.] 

Dear Sir: I have sent Major Fremont to the north to see how 
many men he could recruit, with a view to embark them for Ma- 
zatlan or Acapulco; where, if possible, I intend to land and fight 
our way as far on to the city of Mexico as I can. 

With this object in view, your orders of this date in relation to 
having the squadron in such places as may enable me to get them 
together as soon as possible, are given. 

You will, on your arrival on the coast, get all the information 
you can in reference to this matter. 

I would that we might shake hands with General Taylor at the 
gates of Mexico. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ ^c. 

To Captain Wm. Mervine, 

U. S. Frigate Savannah. 



No. 4. 



U. S. Frigate Congress, 
Harbor of Sar^ Francisco, September 28, 1846. 

[private ] 

Sir: I am here anxious to know what prospect there is of your 
being able to recruit my thousand men, for a visit to Mexico. 

Let me know as soon as possible, many serious arrangements 



15 [ 31 ] 

•will have to be made, all requiring more or less time, which, you 
know in war, is* more precious than "rubies," 

Your faithful frieiid and obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Governor J ^c. 
To Major Fremont, 

Military Commandant of the 

Territory of California. 



No. 5. 

PROCLAMATION OF JOSE MA FLORES. 

Mexican Army, Section of Operations. 
Angeles, Oc^oJer 1, 1846. 

Fellow Citizens: It is a month and a half that, by lamentable 
fatality, fruit of the cowardice and inability of the first authorities 
of the department, we behold ourselves subjugated and oppressed 
by an insigoificant force of adventurers of the United States of 
America, and placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves. 

They are dictating to us despotic and arbitrary laws, and load- 
ing us with contributions and onerous burdens, which have for an 
object the ruin of our industry and agriculture, and to force us to 
abandon our property to be possessed and divided amoncr them- 
selves. 

And shall, we be capable to allow ourselves to be subjugated, and 
to accept, by our silence, the weighty chains of slavery? Shall 
we permit to be lost the soil inherited from our fathers, which cost 
them so much blood and so many sacrifices'? Shall we make our 
families victims of the most barbarous slavery? Shall we wait to 
see our wives violated — our innocent children punished by the 

American whips — our propeity sacked — our temples profaned ^ 

and, lastly, to drag through an existence full of insult and shame? 
No! a thousand times no! Countrymen, first death! 

Who of you does not feel his heart beat with violence; who does 
not feel his blood boil, to contemplate our situation; and who will 
be the Mexican who will not feel indignant, and who will not rise 
to take up arms to destroy our oppressors? We believe there is 
not one so vile and cowardly. With such a motive the majority 
of the inhabitants of the districts, justly indignant against our 
tyrants, raise the cry of war, with arms in their hands, and of one 
accord swear to sustain the following articles: 

1st. We, the inhabitants of the department of California, as 
members of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is, and has 
been, our wish to belong to her alone, free and independent. 

2nd. Consequently the authorities intended and named by the 
invading forces of the United States are held null and void. 

3rd. All the North Americans, being enemies of Mexico, we 



[31] 



16 



swear not to lay down our arms, till they are expelled from the 
Mexican territory. 

4th. All Mexican citizens, from the age of 15 to 60, who do not 
take up arms to forward the present plan, are declared traitors and 
under pain of death. 

5th. Every Mexican or foreigner who may directly or indirectly 
aid the enemies of Mexico will be punished in the same manner. 

6th. The property of the North Americans in the department, 
who may have directly or indirectly taken part with, or aided the 
enemies, shall be confiscated and used for the expenses of the war; 
and their persons shall be taken to the interior of the republic. 

7th. AH those who may oppose the present plan will be pun- 
ished with arms. 

8th. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara, and the district of the 
north, will be invited immediately to adhere to the present plan. 

Camp in Angeles, September 24, 1846. 

Servalo Barelas, Leonardo Cota. [The signatures of more than 
300 persons.] 

JOSE MA FLORES. 



No. 6. 

GENERAL ORDER. 

United States Frigate Congress, 

Off San Pedro J October 26, 1846. 

Captain Gillespie, with fifty men, will be landed at 4 o'clock, 
a. m., to-morrow, to surprise the enemy. 

The oars of the boats must be mujffled, and the men pull without 
the least noise, and perfect silence must be observed. 

If Captain Gillespie requires aid, he will fire a rocket, when the 
boats of the ships will be ready to go to his assistance. 

If Captain Gillespie meets no opposition in taking possession of 
the houses, he will conceal his force so as to shoot any spies that 
may venture inside of rifle range [never shooting too quick) to op- 
pose the landing of the troops. 

If Captain Gillespie does not require assistance, the rest of the 
troops will not land until after breakfast, which will be taken at 
7 o'clock, and the forces prepared to disembark at half past eight 
o'clock, when a signal to that effect is made. 

Captain Gillespie will keep his position until the troops are 
landed, when he will return on board to breakfast. 

If the troops are required to land before breakfast, the force 
from the fiigate Savannah will be commanded by Captain Mervinej 
those from the Congress by Lieutenant Commandant Livingston. 



17 [ 31 ] 

The commander-in-chief intends to lead on the attack, if there 
be one, in person. 

By order of the commander-in-chief. 

J. ZEILIN, 
Brevet captain and adjutant. 



No. 7. 
GENERAL ORDER. 

United States Frigate Congress, 

Bay of San Pedro, October 28, 1846. 

The commander-in-chief commends the determined courage with 
which the officers, sailors, and marines landed, (in despite of the 
false alarm as to the enemy's force) and again hoisted the Ameri- 
can standard at San Pedro. 

The important duties of the commander-in-chief, and the entire 
want of camp equipage, or other necessary accommodation, require 
him whilst the troops are in camp on the beach, to retain his head- 
quarters on board of the ship; but, brave comrades, be assured 
that he will superintend and direct all your operations, and when 
in danger he will be, as he was yesterday morning, in the midst of 
you. 

Every officer and man must be ready at a moment's notice to 
march to the Puebla to support Major Fremont's volunteers, or to 
go on bo?,rd of ship to the relief of our gallant brothers in arms 
at San Diego and Monterey, who are threatened with an attack 
by overwhelming forces. 

Brave men, however various and different your duties may be, 
the commander-in-chief is satisfied you will give the most willing 
aid to all his operations in defence of the honor and glory of our 
country. 

By order of the commander-in-chief. 

J. ZEILIN, 
Brevet captain and adjutant. 



Head -QUARTERS, 
Ciudad de los Angeles, January 11, 1847. 

Sir: My last letter to the department will have informed you of 
the defeat of Captain Mervine at San Pedro, and the return of 
Colonel Fremont, with the force under his command, to Monterey, 
since which time I have not heard from him; and of my being at 
San Diego surrounded by the insurgents, and entirely destitute of 
all means of transportation. We succeeded at last, however, in 
getting animals two hundred and forty miles to the southward of 
San Diego, aad in driving them, in despite of the insurgents, into 
the {garrison. 



[31] 



18 



S 



I have now the honor to inform you that it has pleased God to j 
crown our poor efforts to put down the rebellion, and to retrieve 
the credit of our arms with the most complete success. The in- 
surgents again elated by the defeat of General Kearny at vSan 
Pasqual,and the capture of one of his guns, determined with his 
■whole force to meet us on our march from San Diego to this 
lace, and to decide the fate of the territory by a general battle. 
Having made the best preparation I could in the face of a boast- 
ing and vigilant enemy, we left San Diego on the 29th day of De- 
cember (that portion of the insurgent army who had been watch- 
ing and annoying us having left to join the main body) with 
about six hundred fighting men, composed of detachments from the 
ships Congress, Savannah, Portsmouth, and Cyane, aided by Gen- 
eral Kearny, with a detachment of sixty men on foot from the first 
regiment of United States dragoons, and with Captain Gillespie, 
with sixty mounted riflemen. 

We marched nearly one hundred and forty miles in ten days, 
and found the rebels, on the 8th day of January, in a strong posi- 
tion, on the high bank of the " Rio San Gabriel," with six hun- 
dred mounted men, and four pieces of artillery, prepared to dis- 
pute our passage across that river. 

We waded through the water, dragging our guns after us, against 
the galling fire of the enemy, without exchanging a shot until we 
reached the opposite shore, when the fight became general, and 
©ur troops having repelled a charge of the enemy, charged up the 
bank in a most gallant manner, and gained a most complete vic- 
tory over the insurgent army. • 

The next day, on our march across the plains of the " Mesa" to 
this place, the insurgents made another desperate effort to save the 
capital and their own necks; they were concealed with their artil- 
lery in a ravine until we came within gunshot, \ hen they opened 
a brisk fire from their field pieces en our right flank, and at the 
same time charged bolh on our front and rear; we soon silenced 
their guns and repelled the charge, when they fled and permitted 
us the next morning to march into town without any further oppo- 
sition. 

We have rescued the country from the hands of the insurgents, 
but I fear that the absence of Colonel Fremont's battalion of 
mounted riflemen will enable most of the Mexican officers, who 
have broken their parole, to escape to Sonora. 

I am happy to say that our loss in killed and wounded does not 
exceed twenty, whilst we are informed that the enemy has lost be- 
tween seventy and eighty. 

This despatch must go immediately, and I will wait another op- 
portunity to furnish } ou with the details of these two battles, and 
the gallant conduct of the officers and men under my command, 
with their names. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ fyc. 
To the honorable George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JYavyy Washingiouj P. C. 



19 



[31] 



P. S. — Enclosed I have the honor to send to you a translation 
of the letter handed to me by the commissioners, mentioned in an- 
other part of this despatch, sent by Jose M. Flores, to negociate a 
peace honorable to both nations. The verbal answer stated in an- 
other page of this letter was sent to this renowned general and 
commander-in-chief; he had violated his honor, and I would not 
treat with him nor write to him. 



[Translation.] 

Civil and Military Government of 

THE Department of California, 

January 1, 1847. 

The undersigned, governor and commandant general of the de- 
partment and commanderin chifcf of the national troops, has the 
honor to address himself to the commanderin chief of the naval 
and land forces of the United States of North America, to say that 
he has been informed by persons worthy of credit, that it is pro- 
bably at this time the differences which have altered the relations 
of friendship between the Mexican Republic and that of the United 
States of North America have ceased, and that you looked for the 
news of the arrangements between the two governments by the 
schooner Shark, expected every moment on this coast. 

A number of days have elapsed since the undersigned wa^ in- 
vited by several foreign gentlemen, settled in this country, to en- 
ter into a communication with you — they acting as mediators — to 
obtain an honorable adjustment for both forces, in consequence of 
the evils which all feel are caused by the unjust war you wage, 
but the duty of the undersigned prohibited him from doing so, and 
if, to-day, he steps beyond the limits marked out by it, it is with 
the confidence inspired by the hope there exists a definite arrange- 
ment between the two nations; for the undersigned being animated 
with the strongest wishes for the return of peace, it would be most 
painful to him not to have taken the means to avoid the useless 
effusion of human blood, and its terrible consequences, during mo- 
ments when the general peace might have been secured. 

The undersigned flatters himself with this hope, and for that 
reason has thought it opportune to direct you this note, which will 
he placed in your hands by Messrs. Julian Workman and Charles 
Fluge, who have voluntarily offered themselves to act as mediators. 
But if, unfortunately, the mentioned news should prove untrue, 
and you should not be disposed to grant a truce to the evils under 
which this unfortunate country suffers, of which you alone are the 
cause, may the terrible consequences of your want of consideration 
fall on your bead. The citizens, all of whom compose the national 
forces of this departceent, are decided, firmly, to bury themselves 
under the rums of their country, combating to the last moment, 
before consenting to the tyranny and ominous discretionary power 
of the agents of the government of the United States of North 



[ 31 ] 20 

America. This is no problem; different deeds of arms prove that 
they know how to defend their rights on the field of battle. The 
undersigned still confides you will give a satisfactory solution to 
this affair, and in the mean time has the honor of offering to you 
the assurance of his consideration and private esteem. 
God and liberty. 

JOSE M. FLORES. 



GENERAL ORDER. 

Head-quarterSj Ciudad de LOS Angeles, 

January 11, 1847. 

The commander-in-chief congratulates the officers and men of 
the southern division of United States forces in California, on the 
brilliant victories obtained by them over the enemy on the 8th and 
9th instants, and on once more taking possession of the "Ciudad de 
los Angeles." 

He takes the earliest moment to commend their gallantry and 
good conduct, both in the battle fought on the 8th, on the banks 
of the *'Rio San Gabriel," and on the 9th instant, on the plains of 
the "Mesa." 

The steady courage of the troops in forcing their passage across 
the "Rio San Gabriel," where officers and men were alike em- 
ployed in dragging the guns through the water, against the galling 
fire of the enemy without txchanging a shot, and their gallant 
charge up the banks against the enemy's cavalry, has perhaps 
never lieen surpassed; and the cool determination with which in 
the battle of the 9th, they repulsed the charge of cavalry made by 
the enemy at the same time on their front and rear, has extorted 
the admiration of the enemy and deserves the best thanks of their 
countrymen. 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Governor and commander-in-chief 

of the Territory of California. 



Head-quarters, Ciudad de los Angeles, 

January 15, 1847. 

Sir: Referring to my letter of the 11th, I have the honor to in- 
form you of the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont at this place 
with four hundred men; that some of the insurgents have made 
their escape to Sonora, and that the rest have surrendered to our 
arms. 

Immediately after the battles of the 8th and 9th, they began to 
disperse; and I am sorry to say that their leader, Jose M. Flores, 
made his escape, and that the others have been pardoned by a ca- 
pitulation agreed upon by Lieutenant Colonel Fremont. 



21 • [31] 

Jose M. Flores, the commander of the insurgent forces, two or 
three days previous to the 8thj sent two commissioners, with a flag 
of truce, to my camp to make ''a treaty of peace.'''' I informed 
the commissioners that I could not recognize Jose M. Flores, who 
had broken his parole, as an honorable man, or as one having any 
rightful authority, or worthy to be treated with; that he was a 
rebel in arms, and if I caught him, I would have him shot. 

It seemed that, not being able to negotiate with me, and having 
lost the battles of the 8th and 9th, they met Colonel Fremont, on 
the 12th instant, on his way here, who, not knowing what had oc- 
curred, entered into the capitulation with them, which I now send 
to you; and although I refused to do it myself, still I have thougjht 
it best to approve it. I am •glad to say, that, by the capitulation, 
we have recovered the gun taken by the insurgents at the sad de- 
feat of General Kearny at San Pasqual. 

The territory of California is again tranquil, and the civil gov- 
ernment, formed by me, is again in operation in the places where 
it was interrupted by the insurgents. 

Colonel Fremont has five hundred men in his battalion, which 
•will be quite sufficient to preserve the peace ©f the territory; and 
I will immediately withdraw my sailors and marines, and sail, as 
soon as possible, for the coast of Mexico, w^here I hope they will 
give a good account of themselves. 
Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ ^c. 

To the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JYavyj Washington, D. C. 



To all to whom theSe presents shall come^ greeting: 

Know ye that, in consequence of propositions of peace, or ces- 
sation of hostilities, being submitted to me, as commandant of the 
Californian battalion of United States forces, which has so far 
been acceded to by me, as to cause me to appoint a board of com- 
missioners to confer with a similar board appointed by the Cali- 
fornians, and it requiring a little time to close the negotiations, it 
is agreed upon, and ordered by me, that an entire cessation of hos- 
tilities shall take place until to-morrow afternoon, (January 13,) 
and that the said Californians be permitted to bring in their 
wounded to the mission of San Fernandez, where, also, if they 
choose, they can remove their camp, to facilitate said negotia- 
tions. 

•Given under my hand and seal this twelfth day of January, 1847. 

J. C. FREMONT, 
. Lieutenant Colonel United States army, 

and Military Commandant of California. 



1 



[ 31 ] - 22 

Articles of capitulation made and entered into at the ranch of Co- 
wenga, this thirteenth day of January, Anno Domini, eighteen 
hundred and forty seven, between P. B. Reading, Major, Louis 
McLane, jr., commanding artillery, Wyn. H. Russell, ordnance 
officer, commissioners appointed by J. C. Fremont, lieutenant 
colonel, United States army, and military commandant of the 
territory of California, and Jose Antonio Carrillo, commandant 
esquadron, Augustin Olvera, diputado, commissioners, appointed 
by Don Andres Pico, commander-in-chief of the Caltfornian 
forces under the Mexican fag. 

Art. 1. The commissioners on the part of the Californians, 
agree that their entire force shall on j)resentation of themselves to 
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, deliver up their artillery and public 
arms, and they shall return peacebly to their homes, conforming to 
the laws and regulations of the United States, and not again take 
up arms during the war between the United States and Mexico, but 
will assist and aid in placing the country in a state of peace and 
tranquility. 

Art. 2. The commissioners on the part of Lieutenant Colonel 
Fremont agree and bind themselves on the fulfilment of the 1st ar- 
ticle by the Californians, that they shall be guarantied protection 
of life and property whether on parole or otherwise. 

Art. 3. That until a treaty of peace be made and signed between 
the United States of North America and the republic of Mexico, no 
Califoraian or other Mexican citizen shall be bound to take the 
oath of alleo-iance. 

Art. 4. That any Californian or other citizen of Mexico desir- 
ing, is permitted by this capitulation to leave the country without 
let or hindrance. 

Art. 5. That in virtue of the aforesaid articles, equal rights and 
privileges are vouchsafed to every citizen of California, as are en- 
joyed by the citizens of the United States of North America. 

Art. 6. All officers, citizens, foreigneis, or others, shall receive 
the protection guarantied by the 2d article. 

Art. 7. This capitulation is intended to be no bar in effecting 
such arrangements as may in future be in justice, required by both 
P"^ies. p. B. READING, 

Major California Battalion. 
WM. H. RUSSELL, 
Ordnance Officer of California Battalion. 
LOUIS McLANE, Jr. 
Commanding Artillery California Battalion. 
JOSE ANTONIO CARRILLO, 

Commandante de Esquadron. 
AUGUSTIN OLVERA, Diputado. 
Approved. j. c. FREMONT, 

Lt. Col. U. S. army, and Military 
. . Commanda7it of California. 

Approbado. ANDRES PICO, 

Commandante de Esquadron y en Gefe 

de lasfuereas nacionales en California^ 



23 [ 31 ] 

Additional article. 

That the paroJes of all officers, citizens, antl others of the I/nited 
States, and of naturalized citizens of Mexico, are by this foregoing 
capitulation cancelled, and every condition of said paroles from 
and after this date are of no farther force and effect, and all pris- 
oners of both parties are hereby released. 

P. B. READING, 

Major California Battalion c 
LOUS McLANE, Jr., 
\ Commanding Artillery California Battalion. 

WM. H. RUSSELL, 
Ordnance Officer of California Battalion. 

JOSE ANTONIO CARRILLO, 

Commandante de Esquadron, 
AUGUSTIN OLVERA, 

Diputado. 

Approved. J. C. FREMONT, 

Lt. Col. U. S. armyj and Military 

Commandant of California. 

Approbad. ANDRES PICO, 

Commandante de Esquadron. y en Gefe 

de las fuereas nacionales en California. 

ClUDAD.DE LOS AnGELES, 

January 16, 1847. 



United States Frigate Congress, 

Harbor of San Diego, January 22, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the civil government 
of this territory is in successful operation, that Colonel Fremont 
is acting as governor, and Colonel Russell as secretary, and that 
I am again on board of the Congress preparing her for the coast of 
Mexico. 

Lieutenant Gray, who is charged with my despatches, has been 
my aid-de-camp, and has done his duty with great good conduct 
and gallantry. 

He is the officer whom I sent to relieve General Kearny from 
his perilous condition after his defeat at San Pasqual, and deserves 
the consideration of the department. 

He will be able to give you the particulars of that unfortunate 
and disastrous affair. 

Faithfullv. your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ ^c^ 
To the honorable George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JVavy, Washington, D. C. 



[31] 24 



1 



U. S. Frigate ^'Congres?," 
■ Harbor of San Diego, February 4, 1847. 

Sir: As the guardian of the honor and services of the navy, I 
take leave to send to you the following narrative. This case re- 
quires no argument; nor wUl I make a single remark in relation to 
the extraordinary conduct of General Kearny, or the indefensible 
language of his notes: ^'demands,^^ '■'■personal collision,'''' ^^civil 
war,^^ and the bold assertion that the country was not conquered un- 
til the 8th and 9th of January by the troops under his command^ 
speak for themselves. 

I only desire at this time that you will call the attention of the 
President to it, and ask that General Kearny may be recalled from 
the territory, to prevent the evil consequences that may grow out 
of such a temper and such a head. 

Last September I ordered an express mail to be sent in charge 
of Mr. Carson, from the "Ciudad de "los Angeles" to the city of 
Washington, to inform the President that the territory of Califor- 
nia had been conquered, and a civil government established there- 
in. Mr. Carson was met on his way, and only within four days 
travel of Santa Fe, by General Kearny, to whom he communicated 
the above intelligence, and that Col. Fremont was to be Governor. 
General Kearny sent back to Santa Fe a large part of the force 
under his command, but came himself to the territory with a de- 
tachment of dragoons; he would not permit Mr. Carson to proceed 
with the express, but insisted that he should return with him to Ca- 
lifornia. On the 3d of December I received a letter from General 
Kearny by Mr. E. Stokes, which I now enclose, marked No. 1. I 
immediately despatched Captain Gillespie and Mr. Stokes, with 
about thirty-nine mounted riflemen, to the ^^head-quarters of the 
army of the West,^^ with the letter marked No. 2. Mr. Stokes said 
that the General had informed him that he had *\bout three hun- 
dred and fifty men with him. 

On the night of the 6th Mr. Stokes returned to San Diego, and 
informed me that General Kearny had attempted to surprise the 
insurgents early that morning, in their camp at San Pasqual; that 
a battle ensued, in which the General was worsted, but to what 
extent he could .not accurately state, because he came off immedi- 
ately after the firing ceased, without communicating with any one 
on the field of battle; that the General had lost many killed and 
"wounded, and one of his guns had been taken; that the insurgents 
were commanded by Acdres Pico, who had with him about one 
hundred men. The next day Mr. Godey came in express from the 
General's camp, and confirmed the sad intelligence of his defeat, 
bringing the eiiclosed letter from Captain Turner of the dragoons, 
marked No. 3. 

On Wednesday night, the 9th instant. Lieutenant Beale, of the 
navy, came in from the General's camp, and stated that the force 
under General Kearny's command had attempted to surprise the 
insurgents on the morning of the 6th at San Pasqual; that in the 
fight which ensued General Kearny had been defeated, with the 



25 [ 31 ] 

loss of eighteen or nineteen killed, and thirteen or fourteen wound- 
edj that General Kearny and his whole force were besieged on a 
small hill of rocks, and so surrounded by the enemy, that it was 
impossible for them to escape unless immediate assistance was sent 
to them; that all their cattle had been taken away from them, and 
that they were obliged to eat their mules; that they were burning 
and destroying a quantity of valuable public property — tents, sad- 
dles and bridles, and camp equipage of every description, as well 
as private stores and clothing. Lieut. Gray was leaving San Die- 
go with two hundred and fifteen men, to go to the relief of General 
Kearny, at the moment of the arrival of Mr. Beale. He succeed- 
ed in bringing the General and his troops safely into San Diego. 
A few days after the General's arrival at San Diego I offered to 
him the situation of commander-in-chief of the forces then prepar- 
ing for a campaign, and offered to go with him as his "aid-de- 
camp." He declined this proposition, but said he would go as my 
"aid-de-camp." Soon after this he handed me his instructions 
from the War Department, which having read, I returned to him 
with the enclosed note, marked No. 4. A short time after this 
the General, in a conversation with me, intimated that under his 
instructions from the War Department he was entitled to be the 
governor of the territory. I replied, <hat his instructions express- 
ly said, '■Hhat should he conquer the country he might establish a 
civil government therein;" that the country had been conquered^ 
and a civil government established, before he left Santa Fe^ of 
which he had been informed as before stated by Mr. Carson, when 
he was only four days travel from Santa Fe. I also said that his 
instructions from the War Department, under these circumstances, 
should in my judgment be considered obsolete and nugatory; that 
as the thing ordered to be done had been accomplished already, 
there remained nothing to be done; that the civil government 
formed by me was, at the time we were talking about it, in actual 
operation throughout the territory, with the exception of the "Ciu- 
dad de los Angeles," and "Santa Barbara," where it had been 
temporarily interrupted by the insurgents; besides which I had 
informed the government that I would appoint Colonel Fremont 
governor, and had pledged myself to Colonel Fremont to do so. 
That the thing was therefore before the government, and their ap- 
proval or disapproval was probably on its way to we "and that if he 
had not interfered with my express it probably would have re- 
turned from Washington by the middle of January. • I supposed 
from this conversation, in connexion with the offer of the General 
to accompany me as aid-de-camp, that he would not again aspire 
to the chief command of the territory, until after the expected des- 
patches had arrived from Washington. 

The relations between General Kearny and myself remained in 
this condition until the morning of the 29th of December, when, 
after the troops had been paraded and were ready to proceed on 
the march to the Ciudad de los Angeles, General Kearny came to 
me and asked who was to command the troops'? I said that, as 
commander-in-chief, I would command in person. But, said he, I 



[ 31 ] 26 

mean who is to command the troops under you? I said that I had 
appointed Lieutenant Rowan, the first lieutenant of the Cyane to 
do so; the genera] observed, that he thought he was entitled to that 
coraniand. I replied, that Mr. Rowan had been appointed mere'v 
to relieve me from the details of the march and camp; and that if 
he (the general) was willing to perform that duty, 1 did not doubt 
that Lieutenant Rowan would yield to him, and I would give him 
the appointment with pleasure. 

Lieutenant Rowan yielded, and I immediately summoned the 
otfacers around me, who were in readiness to march, and announced 
to them that General Kearny would take Mr. Rowan's situation, 
but that 1 would remain commander-in-chief. 

With this arrangement we proceeded on our march, during which 
1 ordered, when the troops were to march, the road they were 
to march and when they were to encamp, and did all other things 
belonging or appertaining to the duties as the commander of the 
torces and the governor of the territory, and no one paid more re- 
spect and deference to me as such than General Kearny: and it 
never was more conspicuous than in the battles of the 8ih and 9th 
ot January, as well as during our march into the city. 

On the 16th of January I received the enclosed letter from Gene- 
ral Kearny, marked No. 5, by the address of which you will per- 
ceive that I am still considered by him acting governor of the ter- 
ritory, at the very moment he arrogates to himself the supreme 
power oi demanding of me to desist from the performance of my 

T'a XT ^^'° ^^"^ "^y ^eply, marked No. 6, and his rejoinder, 
marked JNo. 7, with a note subsequently received from him, marked 
No. 8, • ' 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

T^^ *v. IT r^ I, Commodore, 4-c. 

10 the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the JVavy, 

Washington^ D. C. 



Head-quartebs, Army of the West, 

Camp at Warner^s, December 2, 1846. 

Sir: I this afternoon reached here, escorted by a party of the 1st 
regiment dragoons. I come by orders of ihe President of the Uni- 
ted States. We left Santa Fe on the 25th September, having taken 
possession of New Mexico, annexed it to the United States, estab- 
lished a civil government in that territory, and secured order, peace 
and quietness there. 

If you can send a party to open a communication with us on the 
route to this place, and to inform me of the state of affairs in Cali- 
fornia, I wish you would do so, and as quickly as possible. 

-he fear of this letter falling into Mexican hands prevents me 
from writing more. 



27 [31] 

Your express by Mr. Carson was met on the Del Norte; and your 
mail must have reached Washington at least ten days since. 

You might use the bearer, Mr. Stokes, as a guide to conduct jour 
party to this place. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. W.KEARNf,. 
Brigadier general^ U. S. A. 
Commodore R.. F. Stockton, 

United States navy, t 

ComPdg Pacific squadron, San Diego. 



Head- QUARTERS, 
San Diego, December 3, 1846— 6| o^clock, p. m. 

Sir: I have this moment received your note of yesterday by Mr. 
Stokes, and have ordered Captain Gillespie, with a detachment of 
mounted riflemen and a field piece, to proceed to your camp with- 
out delay. 

Captain Gillespie is well informed in relation to the present state 
of things in California, and will give you all needful information; 
I need not, therefore, detain him by saying anything on the sub- 
ject. I will merely say that I have this evening received informa- 
tion, by two deserters from the rebel camp, of the arrival of an 
additional force in this neighborhood of one hundred men, which, 
in addition to the force previously here, makes their number about 
one hundred and fifty. 

I send with Captain Gillespie, as a guide, one of the deserters, 
that you may make inquiries of him; and, if you see fit, endeavor 
to surprise them. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 
Commander-in-chief and governor 
of the Territory of California. 
To Brigadier General Kearny, 

United States army. 



Head-quarters, 
Camp near San Pasqual, December 6, 1846. 

Sir: I have the honor to report to you that, at early dawn this 
morning. General Kearny, with a detachment of United States dra- 
goons and Captain Gillespie's company of mounted riflemen, had 
an engagement with a very considerable Mexican force near this 
camp. 

We have about eighteen killed, and fourteen or fifteen wounded; 
several so severely that it may be impracticable to move them for 
several days. I have to suggest to you the propriety of despatch- 
ing without delay a considerable force to meet us on the route to 



f31] 



28 



San Diego via the Solidad and San Bernardo, or to find us at this 
place; also, that you will send up carts, or some other means of 
transporting our wounded to San Diego. We are without provisions, 
and, in our present situation, may hnd it impracticable to obtain 
cattle from the ranchos in the vicinity. 

General Kearny is among the wounded; but, it's hoped, not dan- 
gerously; Captains Moore and Johnston. 1st dragoons, killed; Cap- 
tain Gillespie badly but not dangerously wounded; Lieutenant Ham- 
mond, 1st dragoons, dangerously wounded. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. S. TURNER, 
Captain U. S. A., commanding. 

Commodore R. F. Stockton, 

United States navy, San Diego. 



Head-quarters, 
San DiegOj December 16, 1846, 

Dear General: With my best thanks 1 return to you the des- 
patches from the War Department addressed to you, which you did 
me the favor to allow me to read. . I also send copies of some of 
my letters, &c., &c., that you may see how far the wishes of the 
government have been anticipated and accomplished by the forces 
under my command. 

I am, dear general, faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commodore^ Sfc. 
To Brigadier General S. W. Kearny, 

United States army. 



Head QUARTERS, Army of the WesTj 

Ciudad de los Angeles^ January 16, 1847. 

Sir: I am informed that you are now engaged in organizing 
a civil government, and appointing officers for it in this territory. 
As this duty has been specially assigned to myself, by orders of 
the President of the United States, conveyed in letters to me from 
the Secretary of War, of June 3d, 8th and 18th, 1846, the original 
of which I gave to you on the 12th, and which you returned to me 
oh the 13th, and copies of which I furnished you with on the 26th 
December, I have to ask if you have any authority from the Presi- 
dent, from the Secretary of the Navy, or from any other channel 
of the President, to form such government and make such appoint- 
ments. 

If you have such authority, and will show it to me or furnish me 
with a certified copy of it, I will cheerfully acquiesce in what you 
are doing. If you have not such authority, I then demand that you 
cease all further pioceedings relating to the formation of a civil 



29 [ 31 

government for this territory, as I cannot recognzie in you any 
right in assuming to perform duties confided to me by the Presi- 
dent. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. W. KEARNY, 
Brigadier General United States army.. 
Com. R. F. Stockton, 

.Acting governor of California. 



Head-quarters, 
Ciudad de los Jingelesj January 16, 1847. 

Sir: In answer to your note received this afternoon, I need say 
but little more than that which I communicated to you in a con- 
versation at San Diego; that California was conquered and a civil 
government put into successful operation; that a copy of the laws 
made by me for the government of the territory, and the names of 
the officers selected to see them faithfully executed, were transmit- 
ted to the President of the United States before you arrived in the 
territory. 

I will only add, that I cannot do anything, nor desist from doing 
anything, or alter anything on yoiir demand, which [ will submit 
to the President and ask for your recall. In the mean time, you 
will consider yourself suspended from the command of the United 
States forces in this place. 

Faithfully, your obedient servant, 

R. F. STOCKTON, 

Comminder -in- chief , 

To Brevet Brigadier General S. W. Kearny. 



Head-quarters, Army of the West, 

Ciudad de los Angeles, January 17, 1847. 

Sir: In my communication to you of yesterday's date, I stated 
that I had learned that you were engaged in organizing a civil 
government for California. I referred you to the President's in- 
structions to me, (the original of which you have seen, and copies 
of which I furnished you,) to perform that duty, and I added that, 
if you had any authority from the President, or any of his organs, 
for what you were doing, ! would cheerfully acquiesce, and if you 
had not such authority, I demanded that you would cease further 
proceedings in the matter. Your reply of the same date refers me 
to a conversation held at San Diego, and adds, that you '^ cannot do 
anything, nor desist from doing anything, or alter anything on 
your (my) demand." As in consequence of the defeat of the enemy 
"on the 8th and 9th instants, by the troops under my command, and 
the capitulation entered into on the 13th instant, by Lieutenant 
Colonel Fremont, with the leaders of the Californians, in which 



1 



[31] 30 

the people under arms and in the field, agree to disperse and re- 
main quiet and peaceable, the country may now, for the first 
time, be considered as conquered and taken possession of by us, 
and as I am prepared to carry out the President's instructions to 
me, which you oppose, I must, for the purpose of preventing a 
collision between us, and possibly a civil war in consequence of it, 
remain silent for the present, leaving with you the great responsi- 
bility of doing that for which you have no authority, and pre- 
ventin?" me from complying with the President's orders. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. W. KEARNY, 
Brigadier General^ U. S. A. 
Commodore R, F, Stockton, 

United States Jfavy^ 

Acting Governor J California. 



Head quarters. Army of the West, 

Ciudad de los Angeles^ January 17, 1847. 

Sir: I have to inform you that I intend to withdraw to morrow 
from this place, with the small party which escorted me to this 
country. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. W. KEARNY, 
Brigadier General. 

Commodore R, F. Stockton, 

. United States JSTavy, 

Acting Goverriorj California. 



United States Frigate Congress, 
Harbor of San Diego, February 5, 1847. 

• Sir: I had the honor to write to you on the 11th of January by 
l)y my aide- de camp, Lieutenant Gray, informing you of the victo- 
ries gained, en the 8th and 9th of January, over the insurgent army 
by the forces under my command; that the insurrection had been 
put down, and peace and tranquillity restored throughout the ter- 
ritory; that we had again taken possession of the Ciudad de los 
Angeles; that our flag was once more flying in all parts of Califor- 
nia; and that the civil government, formed by me last September, 
was in successful operation. 

I now proceed (as it is my duty to do) to give you a more de- 
tailed and circumstantial account of the battles of the 8th and 9th, 
as well as of the preparations which preceded them. We came to 
San Diego with the Congress alone, her resources having been 
almost exhausted in a previous campaign. The town was besieged 
by the insurgents, and there were no stores or provisions of any 
kind in it, and we were reduced ,to one- fourth allowance of bread. 



31 [ 31 ] 

We had to build a fort to mount our artillery — to make our saddles 
and bridles and harness; we had, in truth, to make an army, with 
all its necessary appendages, out of the mechanics and sailors of 
this ship, and to take our horses and beef cattle from the enemy. 

The industry, perseverance and hard work, as well as enterprise 
and courage necessary for such operations, do not need my poor 
commendation. 

We commenced our march on the 29th of December, with Cap- 
tain Turner's company of 1st dragoons, dismounted, aided by Lieu- 
tenant Davidson; six pieces of artillery, under Lieutenant R. L. 
Tilgbman, and Passed Midshipman William H. Thompson; Captain 
Gillespie's squadron of mounted riflemen, acting as the advance, 
the rear and vanguards; the marines of the Congress and Ports- 
mouth, under Captain J. Zeilin, adjutant of the battalion; the mus- 
keteers of the Congress, Savannah, Cyane and Portsmouth, com- 
manded by Lieutenant William B. Renshaw, Passed Midshipman 
John Guest, Acting Lieutenants B. F. B. Hunter and Edward Hig- 
gins, aided by Midshipmen George E. Morgan, J. Van Ne>s Philip, 
Theodoric Lee, Albert Allmand, B. F. Wells, Edward C. Grafton, 
Robert C. Duvall and Philip H. Haywood, and William Simmons, 
commodore's clerk; the carbineers of the Congress and Cyane, 
under the orders of Passed Midshipmen J. M. Duncan and J. Fen- 
wick Stenson, and Sailraaker Reed, aided by Midshipmen Joseph 
Parish and Edmund Shepherd — in all a strength of about six hun- 
dred men. Brigadier General Kearny commanding the division, 
and Lieutenant S. C. Rowan, from the ship Cyane, major of 
brigade; Captain W. H. Emory, of the topographical engineers, 
acting adjutant general; Lieutenant George Minor, of the^Savan- 
nah, quartermaster, in charge of the transportation, aided by Mr. 
Daniel Fisher. Mr. Speiden, the purser of the Congress, per- 
formed the duties of commissary, aided by Mr. John Bidvvell. Mr. 
Southwick, carpenter of the Congress, acted as chief engineer at 
the head of the sappers and miners. Dr. John S. Griffin, of the 
army,. Dr. Andrew A. Henderson, of the Portsmouth, and Dr. 
Charles Eversfield, of the Congress, attended the troops. .Lieuten- 
ant A. F. V. Gray and Captain Miguel de Pedrovena,' aids-de- 
camp to the- commander-in- chief. 

Our men were badly clothed, and their shoes generally made by 
themselves out of caavas?. It was very cold, and the roads 
heavy. Our animals were all poor and weak, some of them giving 
out daily, which gave much hard work to the naen in draggino- the 
heavy carts, loaded with Emmunition and provisions, through deep 
sands and up steep ascents, and the prospect before us was far 
from being that which we might have desired; but nothing could 
break down the fine spirits of those under my command, or cool 
their readiness and ardor to perform their duty; and they went 
through the whole march of one hundred and forty-five miles with 
alacrity and cheerfulness. 

During the day of our march to the cayotes, we learned that, 
some of the enemy were in our rear following us; and as we ap- 
proached the cayotes several of them made their appearance ia 



[31] 



32 



front of the house upon the hill, and waved their lances in angry 
defiance; but on the approach of the advance guard, they rode off 
and left us to encamp on the hill near the house without molestation. 

Being quite satisfied that we were in the neighborhood of the 
enemy, during the night a confidential person was sent to ascer- 
tain, if possible, their position; he returned, and informed me that 
the enemy were in force between us and the "Rio San Gabriel," 
and I was satisfied that the enemy intended at last to make a stand 
against us, and to fight us on the 8th day of January. The day 
suited me. Before moving that morning, the arms were fired and 
reloaded, and each officer and man was assigned his position for 
the fight, and was reminded that it was the 8th day of January and 
the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. 

We marched at 9 o'clock. Immediately on reaching the plain 
we formed a square, our baggage packs, spare oxen and beef cattle, 
in the centre. The advance guard under Captain Hensley, com- 
pany C, first dragoons, under Captain Turner, and company D,, 
musketeers of the "Cyane," under Acting Lieutenant Higgins, oc- 
cupied the centre, with two pieces of artillery on each flank under 
Lieutenant Tilghman. The right flank composed of marines, com- 
pany C, musketeers of the Portsmouth, Acting Lieutenant Hunterj 
company C, carbineers. Passed Midshipman Duncan; company A, 
carbineers of the Cyane, Acting Master Stenson; and company A, 
carbineers of the Congress, Sailmaker Peco; the whole under com- 
mand of Captain Zeilin. The left flank composed of cooapany B, 
musketeers of the Savannah, company A, musketeers of the Con- 
gress, under Acting Master Guest; the whole under the command 
of Lieutenant Renshaw. The rear composed of two pieces of ar- 
tillery, under Acting Master Wm. H. Thompson. The guard of 
the day, forty-nine strong, under Midshipman Haywood; one com- 
pany mounted riflemen, under Lieutenant Renshaw; and Captain 
Santiago E. Arguello's company of Californians, under Lieutenant 
Luis Arguello; the whole under the command of Captain Gillespie. 
When within about two miles of the "Rio San Gabriel," the 
enemy appeared in sight upon the hills on the opposite side; they 
were six hundred in number, in three divisions, their right about 
two miles down the river. As we approached, our column closed 
up and moved steadily on towards the ford, when, within a quar- 
ter of a mile of the river, a halt was ordered and dispositions made 
to meet the enemy. 

A detachment of marines, under Lieutenant H. B. Watson, was 
sent to strengthen the left flank of the square. A party of the 
enemy, ong hundred and fifty strong, had now crossed the river 
and made several ineffectual attempts to drive a band of wild 
mares upon the advance party. We now moved forward to the 
ford in broken files; Captain Henley's command was ordered to 
dismount, and, acting as skirmishers, it deployed to the front and 
crossed the stream, (which is about fifty yards in width,) driving 
before them a party of the enemy which had attempted to annoy 
Us. The enemy had now taken their position upon the* heights, 
distant six hundred yards from the river, and about fifty feet above 



33 [ 31 1 

its level; their centre or main body, about two hundred strong, 
was stationed immediately in front of the ford, upon which they 
opened a fire from two pieces of artillery, throwing round and 
grape shot without effect. Their right and left wings were sepa- 
rated from the main body about three hundred yards. Our column 
halted upon the edge of the stream; at this time the guns were 
unlimbered to return the enemy's fire, but were ordered again to 
be limbered and U'^t a gun to be fired until the opposite bank of 
the river was gained. The two 9-pounders, dragged by officers 
as we4I as men and mules, soon reached the opposite bank, when 
they were immediately placed in battery. The column now fol- 
lowed in order under a most galling fire from the enemy, and Be- 
came warmly engaged on the opposite bank, their round shot and 
grape falling thickly amongst us as we approached the stream, 
without doing any injury, our men marching steadily forward. 
The dragoons and Cyane's musketeers occupying the centre, soon 
crossed and formed upon a bank about four feet above the stream. 
The left advancing at the same time, soon occupied its position 
across the river. 

The rear was longer in getting across the water; the sand being 
deep, its passage was delayed by the baggage carts; however, in a 
few moments the passage of the whole force was effected \^ith only 
one man killed and one wounded, notwithstanding the enemy kept* 
up an incessant fire from the heights. 

On taking a position upon the low bank, the right flank, under 
Captain Zeilin, was ordered to deploy to the right; two gans from 
the rear were immediately brought to the right; the four-pounder, 
under Acting Master Thompson, supported by the riflemen under 
Lieutenant Renshaw. The left flank deployed into line in open or- 
der. During this time our artillery began to tell upon the enemy, 
who continued their fire without interruption. The nine-pounders, 
standing in plain view upon the bank, were discharged with such 
precision that it soon became too warm for the enemy to remain upon 
the brow of their heights; eventually a shot told upon their nine- 
pounder, knocked the gun from its trail, astounding the enemy so 
much that they left it for four or five minutes. Some twenty of 
them now advanced, and hastily fastening ropes to it, dragged the 
gun to the rear. Captain Henley's skirmishers new advanced and 
took the hill upon the right, the left wing of the enemy retreating 
before them.* The six-pounder from the rear had now come up; 
Captain Henley was ordered to support it, and returned from the 
hill. This movement being observed, the enemy's left made an^t- 
tempt to charge the two guns, but the right flank of the marines, 
under Captain Zeilin, being quickly thrown back, showed too 
steady a front for the courage of the Californians to engage, who 
wheeled to the left and dashed to the rear across the river. At 
this time the enemy were observed collecting on our left, and 
making preparations to charge our left flank. General Kearny 
-sras now ordered to form a square with the troops on the right 
flank, upon which the left flank, in case of being worsted, might • 
rally. The right wing of the enemy now made an unsuccessful at- 
3 



I 31 ] 34 

tempt to charge our left, but finding so warm a reception from the 
musketeers of the Savannah and Congress, under Lieutenant Ren- 
shaw and Acting Master Guest, as also the small party of marines, 
Tander Lieutenant H. B. Watson, they changed their purpose and 
retired, when a discharge of artillery told upon their ranks. The 
sj-uard of the day, under Midshipman HaywDod, protected the ani- 
mals in the rear, awaiting with patience for the enemy to give 
them an opportunity to open a fire. 

The dispositions for charging the heights were now made. The 
troops having been brought into line, the command forward being 
gi^n, on they went (the artillery in battery) charging the heights 
which the enemy's centre contested for a few moments, then broke 
in retreat; their right wing charging upon the rear, under Captain 
Gillespie, encumbered with packs, baggage, horses, and cattle, but 
receiving a well directed fire from ttee guard, which hurled some 
of them from their saddles, they fled at full speed across the river 
we had just left. The other portion of their fo-rces retreated be- 
hind their artillery, which had taken position in a ravine, and 
again opened its fire upon our centre; our artillery was immedi- 
ately thrown forward — the troops being ordered to lay down to 
avoid the enemy's cannon balls which passed directly over their 
heads. 

■ The fire from our artillery was incessant, and so accurate that 
the enemy were from time to time driven from their guns, until 
they finally retreated. 

We were now in possession of the heights, where, a short time 
"before, the insurgents had so vauntingly taken strong position; 
and the band playing Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle, an- 
nounced another glorious victory on the 8th day of January. 

Our loss in this action was ascertained to be two killed and nine 
•wounded. The enemy's loss we could not ascertain with any cer- 
tainty, as they carried away both killed and wounded upon their 
iiorses. ^ 

We moved down the heights until they brought us near th 
liver, where we encamped, having our cattle, horses, and mules 
lander the bank, safely protected. Tattoo was beat at an early 
kour, and the camp retired to rest. At about 12 o'clock, the pick- 
ets having been fired upon, the camp was soon under arms in the 
most perfect order. Finding the enemy made no further demon- 
stration, after remaining under arms a short time, we again sought 
our blankets, and nothing disturbed our repose until the sounding 
of Hie reveille on the 9th told us to be stirring. 

At daylight. Captain Zeilin was despatched with a party of thirty 
2Qarines to a rancho about three-quarters of a mile from camp, to 
ascertain if there were any persons concealed about it, or whether 
there was any barley or povisions to be found there; finding none, 
he returned with his party about sunrise, without meeting any of 
the enemy. 

At 9 o'clock our column commenced its march, taking a direct 

course over the plain of the Mesa, towards Ciudad de los Angeles. 

.We had adranctd some six miles when the enemy appeared in front, 



I 



35 [31] 

* deployed in open orderj their line extending nearly across our road.. 
Approaching a ravine to the left of their line in front, the enemj 
opened a fire from their artillery, masked upon the edge of the 
bank, but with no other effect than killing an ox and mule in the 
centre of the square. Our artillery soon returned the fire while 
still continuing the marchj the enemy now^brought up two other 
pieces of artillery; our column halted; our artillery on the two 
flanks in front was now placed in battery. The six-pounder under 
Acting Master Thompson, upon our right flank in rear, now opened 
its fire upon the enemy's nine-pounder, the shot telling upon it and 
cutting away the fixtures about the gun at every fire. The enemy 
in front and upon the right was now distant about six hundred 
yards; the nine pounders, one of them in charge of Mr. Southwick^ 
soon made it so warm for their artillery in front that the enemj 
"bore it off to their rear. 

A reinforcement now joined them, and soon after down they 
came upon us, charging upon the left flank, front and rear. A 
shower of lead from the musketry under Renshaw and Guest and 
Passed Midshipman Duncan's carbineers, (who had to-day taken 
post on the left flank) being well delivered, at a distance of eighty 
yards, did so much havoc that their courage failed and caused them 
to draw off more to the rear, which had until this moment stood 
firm without firing a shot. The four-pounder now poured forth a 
charge of grape upon a party of the enemy about thirty yards dis- 
tant, hurling four from their saddles, and they again retired., 

The Californians now retreated, and we pursued our march along 
the Mesa and crossed the Rio San Fernando about three miles be- 
iow the town, where we encamped for the night. 

During the day we lost but one killed and five wounded, not- 
withstanding the shot from the enemy, both round and grape, and 
from the carbines of the horsemen, fell thick among our men who 
undauntingly pursued their march forward. On the lOlh, our tents 
were struck at an early hour, but the morning being cold and the 
town being distant but three miles, our march was delayed until 
about 10 o'clock. 

We entered the city of the Angels, our band playing as we 
marched up the principal street to the square, our progress being 
slio'htly molested by a few drunken fellows \\ho remained about 
the town. The riflemen, having been sent to the heights com- 
manding the town, were soon followed by Lieutenant Tilghmanj 
with two pieces of artillery, supported by the marines under Cap- 
tain Zeilin, the enemy, in small force, retiring out of sight upon 
their approach. 

Captain Gillespie, having received the order, now hoisted ' the 
same flag upon the governn5ent house of , the country which he 
hauled down when he retreated from the city in September last. 

Enclosed I st-nd the report of our killed and wounded. Our 
loss was three killed and fourteen wounded; that of the enemy 
between seventy and eighty, besides many horses. 

My narrative is done. Our friends and the territory have beets 
rescued. I will only add that we had, of course, to simplify mil- 



31] 



36 



itary tactics for our own use. We had, therefore, but five orders, vi 
form line — form square — fire — repel charge — charge. The celerity 
and accuracy with which they could perform tiiese evolutions were 
remarkable, and bade defiance .even to the rapid movements of 
Calilornian cavalry. 

I have thus truly e^ibited to you, sir, sailor?, (who were piiiici- 
pally armed with boarding pikes, carbines, and pistols, having no 
more than about two hundred bayonets in the whole division,) vic- 
torious over an equal number of the best horsemen in the world, 
•well mounted and well armed with carbines and pistols and lances. 
I have nothing to bestow on these gallant oncers and men for 
their heroism, except my poor commendation, which I most sin- 
cerely give to them, individually and collectively. I must, there- 
fore, recommend them to } ou for the greatest reward a patriot 
may claim — the approbation ei their country. 
Faithfully, your obedient servant. 

' R. F. STOCKTON, 

Commander-in-chief. 

To the Hon. George Bancroft, 

Secretary of the jYavy, Washington, D. C. 



GlUDAD DE LOS AnGELES, 

January 11, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to fux-nish a statement of the killed and 
wounded in the actions of the 8th and 9th instants, and also a re- 
port from the senior surgeon present, John S. Griffin, viz: 

January 8th. 

Killed — Artillery, 1 private, (U. S. seaman.) 
Wounded — Artillery, 1 private, (volunteer from the California 
battalion;) foot, 7 privates, (U. S. seamen;) marines, 1 private- 
Total — 1 killed, 9 wounded. 

January 9th: 

Wounded— Ut dragoons, 1 private; foot, 1 officer, (Lieutenant 
Rowan, U. S. navy,) 2 privates, (U. S. seamen;) California bat- 
talion, 1 officer, (Captain Gillespie.) 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servar.t, 

W. H. EMORY, 
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers, 
„. and Acting JJdjutant General. 

His Excellency R. F. Stockton., 

Governor of California, ^-c. 



37 [ 31 ] 

ClUDAD DE LOS AnGELES, CaLII'ORNIA, 

January 11, 1847. 

STATEMENT. 

Killed and wounded in the action of the Sth January^ 1847. 

Killed — Frederick Strauss, seaman, U. S. ship Portsmouth, ar- 
tillery corps, cannon shot in neck. 

Wounded — 1st, Jacob Hait, volunteer, artillery drive#, woUnd in 
left breast — died on evening of the 9th; 2d, Thomas Smith, ordi- 
nary seaman, ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, shot by accident 
through the right thigh — died on night of the Sth; 3d, William Coxe, 
seaman, U. S. ship Savannah, company B, musketeers, wound in 
right thigh and right arm — severe; 4th, George Bantam, ordinary 
seaman, U. S, ship Cyane, pikeman, punctured wound of ha[nd, ac- 
cidental—slight; 5th, Patrick Cambell, seaman, U. S. ship Cyane, 
company D, musketeers, wound in thigh by spent ball — slight; 6th, 
William Scott, private, U. S. marine corps, U. S. ship Portsmouth, 
wound in chest, spent ball — slight; 7th, James Hendy, seaman, U. 
S. ship Congress, company A, musketeers, wound over stomach, 
spent ball — slight; 8th, Joseph Wilson, seaman, U. S. ship Con- 
gress, company A, musketeers, wound in right thigh, spent ball-^ 
slight; 9th, Ivory Coffin, seaman, U. S. ship Savannah, company 
B, musketeers, contusion of right knee, spent ball — slight. 

Wounded on the 9th. 

1st, Mark A. Child, private, company C, 1st regiment of dra- 
goons, gun shot wound in right heel, penetrating upwards into the 
ankle joint — severe; 2d, James Cambell, ordinary seamen, U. S. 
ship Congress, company D, carbineers, wound in right foot, second 
toe amputated, accidental discharge of his own carbine — severe; 
3d, George Crawford, boatswain's mate, U. S. ship Cyane, company 
D, musketeers, wound in left thigh— severe. 

Lieutenant Rowan, U. S. navy, and Captain Gillespie, Califor- 
nia battalion, slightly contused by spent balls. 

I. am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient sertant, 

JOHN S. GRIFFIN, 
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. 
To Captain Wm. H. EwoRy, 

. Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. forces. 



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